Voter Information

For further Voter Information from the Elections Division, visit www.123voter.com or click the image on the right.

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Who May Register

Any person who is a Massachusetts resident, a United States citizen, and will be eighteen years old as of the next scheduled election, is eligible to vote. Citizens who are registering to vote for the 1st time in Massachusetts must provide a copy of their identification if registering by mail. If no ID is provided, they will be required to show proof of residency at the polling place on Election Day. When signing the registration form, you must attest, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that you are legally eligible to register and that the information you provide is accurate and truthful. The penalty for fraudulent registration increased recently to a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.

How to Register

You may complete a voter registration card in person at the Town Clerk's Office. You may call the Town Clerk at 413-538-5017, extension 115 and request a mail in form or call the State Elections Division at 800-462-VOTE to request a form and mail it to the Town Clerk's Office in your town. When your voter registration is received and processed by the Town Clerk, you will receive a confirmation that you are now registered to vote, what precinct you are in, and where your polling place is located. In addition, branches of the state Registry of Motor Vehicles, social service agencies, and military recruitment offices provide voter registration services.

Registration Deadlines

You must register to vote at least 20 days before any Town or State Election or Primary in order to be eligible to vote at the polls.

Annual Census

The Annual Census is conducted in January each year as required by Massachusetts State Law. You should return it as soon as possible. The census is important for many reasons. The current population count is the basis for allocation of state and federal funds. Compliance with this state requirement provides proof of residence to protect voting rights, veteran's bonus, housing for the elderly, and many other related benefits. Also, if you do not return your census, it may affect your voting status. The town census is the only way the Town Clerk can verify residency. That is important for school enrollment, the voter's list, and maintenance of updated statistics.

Where Do I Vote

Effective with the Primary Election of September 14, 2010, all voting will take place at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street. Voters will still be voting by precinct, but all precinct voting stations will be combined at this site.